American Red Cross in Urgent Need of Blood Donations

The American Red Cross says a winter shortage of blood and platelet donations has reached critical levels and has issued an urgent call for donors.

Regina Boothe Bratton, external communications manager, said severe winter weather and the widespread seasonal flu has contributed to a spike in canceled donations.

"Right now, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in," she said.

More than 550 blood drives nationwide have been canceled because of weather in January, resulting in more than 16,500 blood and platelet donations going uncollected. Cold weather and flu cases also have caused low turnout at blood drives.

“Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather,” Clifford Numark, senior vice president for Red Cross Blood Services, said in a release.

The Red Cross must collect 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day to meet patient needs.

Penn State football will enter a second straight season with at least one player in the Heisman mix, this year quarterback Trace McSorley among the front runners for the award according to recently released odds.

McSorley enters the field at 18/1 odds the seventh best out of the bunch. Stanford running back and 2017 finalist Bryce Love is the current favorite at 7/1 with Wisconsin back Jonathan T